Strange side effect - thinning of the blood?

Treatment and medication
1

Hello Everyone :D

I have been taking Orlistat for a month now, and went to see my GP for my 1st weigh in yesterday. I have managed to lose 4 kilos, so I am very happy with that. I started off at 15 st 10 pounds, and currently weigh 14 st 11 (on my home scales).

My GP asked me if I had had any side effects, and other than the odd loose bowel movement, and a small show of orange oil just once (no diarrhoea luckily - just the orange on the toilet tissue), I havn't really had many bowel related side effects so far (touch wood and whistle).

One strange side effect I seem to have devolped is that if I cut myself, I seem to bleed a lot more than usual and it takes a long time to clot. My GP thinks that I may have become Vitamin K deficient? He has taken some blood to check for a clotting problem, and I should get the results next Monday. If the results show I am Vitamin K deficient I may have to start taking a supplemnt or stop taking the Orlistat altogether . One reason for this is that I am on the waiting list for a big knee op, and they can't risk doing the op if my blood isn't clotting properly.

A woman from MAP called me today for the 1st month chat, and I told her about this problem with my blood not clotting, and she is going to report it to the manufacturers and has said they may want to get in touch with me and/or my GP to discuss it further.

Has anyone else ever noticed that their blood is thinner and takes longer to clot whilst on the Orlistat?

Thanks for reading my post.

Sue.

2

Hello all,

I guess that the fact there have been no replies, I am the only one to have had this side effect sad ?

Sue.

3

Hi Sue

Ive not experienced anything similar to what your talking about.

I reckon talking to your doctor about your concerns would be your best bet.

or mebbe the MAP people?

hope that everything goes well

MissP

4

Hi MissP,

Thanks for your response. I had already spoken to my GP about the strange side effect and he took some blood to check if I had a clotting problem. I mentioned it to the MAP people as well and they were going to report the side effect to the manufacturers.

Luckily, I got the results of the blood test today and i do not have a problem with my blood clotting so I don't need to start taking the Vitamin K. I cut my lip earlier today, and it still bleed for longer than normal, but it is nice to know I don't have a big problem with the blood clotting properly.

Take care, and thanks agin for your reply,

Sue.

5

Hi Sue

Sorry I didn't respond to your first post, you were right, I haven't had it happen to me which is why I said nothing.

Good to hear you've got the all clear smile and congrats on the weight loss so far!